Swimming is many people’s favorite pastime.
But for musicians, water metaphors can be an excellent way to express complex emotions.
If it’s not Merle Haggard taking a trip down memory lane with his iconic “Kern River” song, it is Kendrick Lamar tackling heavy issues in his 2012 hip-hop song.
Still, there are a few better experiences than jumping into a pool on a scorching summer day while grooving to your favorite tune.
So, here are 25 songs about swimming to put you in the mood for an epic adventure.
1. “Into The Ocean” by Blue October
Let’s start with a hauntingly beautiful ballad about a troubled man.
The guy in Blue October’s song has one of those terrible experiences.
But he won’t give up without a fight, choosing to face his demons instead.
Try this masterpiece if you need a catchy beat to spice up your poolside experience.
2. “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” by Frightened Rabbit
Songs about pools are even better with a hidden message.
And in this song, the Scottish indie rock band uses swimming metaphorically to represent life.
The song is about overcoming life’s obstacles when pursuing your goals.
This track is a must-listen if you need extra motivation to keep going even at your worst moment.
3. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” by Kendrick Lamar
There’s no better way to get into a pool party mood than listening to Kendrick Lamar’s swimming pool song with a catchy beat.
Here, the American rapper sings about getting intoxicated.
But the catchy beat, the thoughtful lyrics, and the subtle message make it a great swimming pool song.
Lamar’s song was so good that it garnered more than 150 million YouTube views.
4. “Swimming” by Breathe Owl Breathe
Another song to put you in the swimming mood.
Breathe Owl Breathe’s “Swimming” is a classic hit about life.
It is one for the summer occasions when you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the adventure.
As the narration draws to a conclusion, the weighty lyrics kick in, making it one of the all too many swimming songs with a powerful message.
5. “Let’s Go Swimming Wild” by Sweet Baboo
“Let’s Go Swimming Wild” is a song from Sweet Baboo’s 2013 Ships album.
And its upbeat nature has made it an ever-present hit in any list of the best songs about swimming.
The narrator implores you to dive into the pool and swim wildly.
Not many songs come close when it’s purely about the perfect summer anthems.
6. “The Swimming Song” by Loudon Wainright III
There are a few better experiences than jumping into the pool on a sunny summer day.
And Loudon Wainright III’s reflective tune about nature and its beauty is there to stimulate your wild side.
The narrator’s love for water is sometimes associated with death and drug addiction.
7. “Crawled Out Of The Sea” by Laura Marling
Laura Marling’s whimsical work deserves a place in your swimming playlist because of the beautiful lyrics alone.
You won’t love its length (only 1 minute long), but the lyrics will stay in your mind forever, especially when she sings, “Oh, you crawled out of the sea/Straight into my arms.”
8. “Night Swimmers” by FOALS
Water and self-reflection often go hand in hand.
And in this track, Yannis Philippakis explains how swimming on a peaceful night can be therapeutic.
Just what you need to unwind after a hard day’s work.
9. “Swim” by Chase Atlantic
By releasing their contemporary swim song in 2017, Chase Atlantic joined the long list of artists who have used water metaphors in their artistic work.
This song describes what many people experience in life.
And it’s a track for those moments when you struggle to hold your own.
So, you sink deep into emotions because nothing makes sense at that time.
The song was a massive success for the Australian R&B band, attracting more than 40 million YouTube views.
10. “Swim Good” by Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean is known for other popular tracks like “Novacane,” “Thinkin’ Bout You,” and “Slide.”
But his alternative R&B hit is one of the best swimming songs with a dark subject matter.
The narration explores a tragic love story.
And the slow lyrics will set the perfect atmosphere for a dream adventure.
You can sing along to the lyrics when you can’t be with your loved one.
And you want to immerse yourself in a tranquil environment with a stream of thoughts running through your mind.
11. “Nightswimming” by R.E.M.
Songs about swimming are incredibly nostalgic.
And this one from the Grammy-winning American rock band is about getting trapped in memories.
They fondly remember their youthful days.
And one thing stands out from the narration.
Their love for the water.
It looks like the perfect life for many reasons.
12. “Jump In The Pool” by Friendly Fires
Some songs about swimming are meant to fill you with the enthusiasm of a little child.
And Friendly Fires’ song belongs in that category.
This one ticks all the right boxes when you need an upbeat tune for a memorable poolside summer.
13. “My Friend Has A Swimming Pool” by Mausi
Mausi is invited to a friend’s house, and he has a moment to remember.
There’s a swimming pool.
And free drinks.
When “the party starts bumpin’, they get tipsy in the pool, live up the night, and dance ’til its light.”
The mood feels just right for one of those wild nights with your drinking buddies.
14. “Swimming Pool Summer” by Capital Cities
Most songs about swimming pools are fun and upbeat with simple lyrics.
And that’s the same with Capital Cities’ summer anthem that will get you grooving all day.
When you meet a special someone at the poolside, it’s only right that you keep the beautiful memories in your heart.
And the song’s lyrics will help you create a romantic scene.
15. “Swimming Pool” by Emmy The Great
Emmy the Great compares her current struggles to swimming in the pool.
A lot is happening around her, and she can’t hold her own.
So, she expresses herself in a swimming anthem from her Second Love album.
Surely Emmy can’t be the only one feeling lost because of life’s struggles.
16. “Channel Swimmer” by Corbin Murdoch & The Nautical Miles
Corbin Murdoch & The Nautical Miles’ poetic song tells the story of a man swimming the English Channel.
The flawless instrumentation and gentle lyrics paint the picture of a lonely man swimming a long distance.
And as the lyrics continue, you start to imagine how lonely it might have been for the daring man on the English Channel.
The song gets a deeper meaning towards the end, addressing the many barriers around success.
17. “Front Crawl” by Frank Turner
Are you willing to swim across seas and oceans to be with the one you love?
Frank Turner’s song would be the best selection for two lovebirds who would do anything to maintain their romantic bond.
The lyrics hold different meanings to different people.
That’s why you should listen to it to get your version.
18. “I Go Swimming” by Peter Gabriel
“The sun is burning, I am yearning/For the water flow.”
Begins Peter Gabriel in his 1983 rock song.
The lyrics describe an intense yearning for the water flow.
The narrator mentions the burning sun, “letting off steam,” and following his wishes.
But only one thing can make him happy.
Swimming in the water.
19. “Swimming Lesson” by Eels
Life will throw anything at you.
And if you can’t walk, at least learn how to crawl.
Eel’s “Swimming Lesson” is a hard one to master.
The lyrics compare swimming in the water with succeeding in life, with so many obstacles on your way.
You fall more than you rise.
And everyone is always waiting for your downfall.
But just like mastering the art of swimming, you must learn how to cope with life’s struggles.
20. “Santa Monica” by Everclear
One of the best places to be is the sea.
But it’s also one of the loneliest places to be when you are far away from your loved ones.
Everclear uses “Santa Monica” metaphorically when talking about escaping life’s barriers.
It could be a job, a toxic relationship, or a manipulative lover.
Just identify your Santa Monica.
21. “Swimming In Your Ocean” by Crash Test Dummies
“Swimming In Your Ocean” is a 1994 pop-rock song about redefining your life in a cruel world.
Life can be overwhelming.
And as the narrator gets burdened with a stream of thoughts, he looks for an escape route.
He’s grateful for nature and all the beautiful things in the world.
But he gets distracted from time to time by endless thoughts.
22. “Swim” by Jack’s Mannequin
Songs with swimming in the title are even better when paired with a powerful message.
Just like Jack’s Mannequin’s song about perseverance.
When swimming through the ocean of life, you will face endless obstacles.
But you must build a strong mentality to overcome difficult moments.
If you need a little motivation at your lowest moment, this is the one to psych you up.
23. “Me Swimming” by Mary Epworth
The next hit on our list is not your ordinary swimming song.
Here, Mary Epworth talks about a different kind of swimming.
That of navigating the strong currents as you walk through life with faith, hope, and perseverance.
The song’s upbeat melody gives it a unique taste and would be an excellent option for completing your swimming playlist.
24. “Wild Swimming” by Martha Tilston
There’s something refreshing about nature.
And Martha Tilston’s song expresses such feelings.
It is just what you need to get in the swimming mood.
25. “Tennessee River” by Alabama
The last hit on this list is also one of the best songs about Tennessee.
And in this track, the American country music band narrates their experiences living and growing up near the 1094km long American river.
As the narrator takes a trip down memory lane, he wishes to go back to the familiar environment just one more time.
“I was born across the river/In the mountains where I call home/Lord times were good there/Don’t know why I ever roamed.”
Songs About Swimming – Final Thoughts
Songs about swimming are the missing ingredients to spice up any poolside experience.
And it doesn’t matter if you need a relaxed mood for a summer-like adventure or a tune to have you jazzed up for the occasion.
There’s always the right song to liven the moment.
The 25 swimming songs above should do the trick when you want to recreate a summer-like pool party.
We have pop rocks, classic R&Bs, and soul music that suits any mood.
So, make your next poolside adventure memorable with the best selections from our list.
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